MOH urging members of the public to take precautions on flu-like illness cases on the rise

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services is urging members of the public to take adequate precautions against flu-like illness after noting an increase in reports of flu-like illness (also called Influenza-Like Illnesses or ILI) in the Northern Division.

In a statement, the Ministry says their Early Warning, Alert and Response Systems (EWARS) received reports of an increase in Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and ILI from divisional health centres and sub-divisional hospitals over the last two weeks in the Cakaudrove and Bua health subdivisions, and to a lesser extent, in the Macuata health subdivision.

They say the respiratory disease is still among the top causes of illness and death in children under five (5) years of age.

The Ministry says that as we head into the cooler and drier season, they expect an increase in respiratory illness while our influenza season is typically in the first few months of the year. They say signs and symptoms of influenza include sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry and severe and can last up to two (2) weeks or more), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat and runny nose.

The Ministry is urging members of the public to practice good respiratory etiquette when they cough or sneeze, and avoid gatherings where the flu can spread readily.

They are also urging people with persisting and severe symptoms to visit their nearest healthcare facility for appropriate treatment.